Leaving Biglaw with business after a year? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Some background/basics: I started practicing in litigation a little over a year ago at a major-market V100 firm after graduating from a T6 school with average grades. Soon after starting, I unwittingly got sucked into the ground floor of one of the (if not the) largest cases at the firm. I was initially very motivated to please the attorneys who had brought me on the case. Since the subject matter is fairly specialized and technical, I ended up wading pretty deep into the weeds to get a good grasp on the issues. Once I understood the basics, I recommended what I thought would be efficient case processes in an attempt to be proactive and ambitious. Unsurprisingly (hindsight is 20/20!), I was asked to carry these out, and in doing so unintentionally laid the groundwork for what would eventually carry the bulk of the case (and fall squarely on my shoulders).

The case has evolved such that work related to these processes makes up a big chunk of current bills. The client's hired dozens of people specifically for working on these processes and funneling us all possible new business related to the case. I was put in charge of a team of other attorneys (many senior to me) and staff to meet all the time demands, but despite the many, many hours I've invested in training and feedback, no one has been able to grasp the subtleties at the level necessary to meaningfully reduce my responsibilities (I can delegate component tasks and busy work, but can't rely on anyone to give me anything close to a final product with all the moving parts integrated). This unfortunately means I'm kind of stuck--I've been told point-blank that I do not have the option of leaving my post while staying in the firm's good graces (aka, no job or reference). I've tried everything I can think of to fix the situation, but the workload keeps growing and shows no sign of stopping anytime soon. While most associates at my firm clock in 2000 hours or less (a "lifestyle" firm, as I was led to believe), I billed over 2,500 hours in my first year, and NOT by choice--I stopped taking on new work 9 months ago, and every ounce of spare energy in the last six months has been spent trying to reduce the demands of just this case. My sleep schedule is a joke, I'm starting to have serious health problems, and I'm running so psychologically ragged that I'm operating under the continuous threat of nervous breakdown. And despite having a massive amount of oversight responsibility heaped on my plate with zero practical experience or guidance, I'm still expected to act in line with all the normal expectations of baby lawyers--be on call to the emails of more senior attorneys, devote time to nonbillable, investment-type activities, make and maintain relationships, and above all, don't complain. Even though I'm reaching out to my superiors pretty regularly at this point--I see it as a courtesy notification that I'm about to crack under the pressure--my cries for help are repeatedly brushed off.

I think that no matter what, I'm going down burning if I try to sustain this for much longer: I'll either end up walking out or bottoming out, and after spending three years and a crap ton of money preparing for this career I'm disinclined to throw such a big kink in it. But it recently occurred to me that if my role really is so integral to such a large case, would it be possible to bring some of this business with me elsewhere? I've been acting sort of as a consultant to another Biglaw firm that is repping the client on a similar case, and I believe I've built some good relationships with contacts there who in turn already have trust and familiarity with the client I (accidentally) developed so dramatically in a very short time. Is this a pipe dream? How would I even broach it? I feel very isolated and confused without any experienced lawyers to confide in, so any guidance would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.

[DELG]

This is a very weird story. So weird I am tempted to believe it.

[Anonymous User]

This is very plausible and actually more common than you think. Often, as a junior, you can be stuck in the bottom of the deal with specific knowledge of a process or area of law that is sort of case/deal specific but necessary for the success of the project.

Your issue, though, is that your hours aren't high enough to justify sounding the "HALP" siren. When I was a second year, I was in your shoes with respect to a specific process for coordinating a case with our co-counsel, and I literally did not breathe for 14 months. The firm did me the favor, at least, of taking my other matters off my hands. Still, I billed 3000 as a second year.

A couple of years later, we had a junior who was responsible for interacting with local counsel on this key issue affecting our client's foreign subsidiaries prior to getting a deal executed. He billing about 3100 and his eyeballs just about came out of his head during the month before we closed, when he billed a remarkable 360 hours, which I can't even. I prepped the bill for that one, and I damn near fell over when we ran the bill and I got the hours summary.

Anyways, the point being that 2500 for someone in your position is pretty light and shouldn't be spurring this sort of response, at least in the perceptions of partners you're working with. It's actually a bit compliment that you've been given this sort of project management responsibility as a junior, as it strongly suggests you're well thought of. It correlates well with longevity at your firm.

If, however, you want to move, your position is straightforward. You should call the most senior attorney you have contact with at the other firm, let him know you're interested in a move and offer to send over your resume. You're not going to "bring business" but you do have a useful project management skillset and if they need a person, they'd certainly rather hire you than a stranger.

But keep in mind, you're not going to relieve your workload by jumping ship. 2500 is very reasonable for a talented junior associate doing your sort of work.

[Anonymous User]

This is very plausible and actually more common than you think. Often, as a junior, you can be stuck in the bottom of the deal with specific knowledge of a process or area of law that is sort of case/deal specific but necessary for the success of the project.

Your issue, though, is that your hours aren't high enough to justify sounding the "HALP" siren. When I was a second year, I was in your shoes with respect to a specific process for coordinating a case with our co-counsel, and I literally did not breathe for 14 months. The firm did me the favor, at least, of taking my other matters off my hands. Still, I billed 3000 as a second year.

A couple of years later, we had a junior who was responsible for interacting with local counsel on this key issue affecting our client's foreign subsidiaries prior to getting a deal executed. He billing about 3100 and his eyeballs just about came out of his head during the month before we closed, when he billed a remarkable 360 hours, which I can't even. I prepped the bill for that one, and I damn near fell over when we ran the bill and I got the hours summary.

Anyways, the point being that 2500 for someone in your position is pretty light and shouldn't be spurring this sort of response, at least in the perceptions of partners you're working with. It's actually a bit compliment that you've been given this sort of project management responsibility as a junior, as it strongly suggests you're well thought of. It correlates well with longevity at your firm.

If, however, you want to move, your position is straightforward. You should call the most senior attorney you have contact with at the other firm, let him know you're interested in a move and offer to send over your resume. You're not going to "bring business" but you do have a useful project management skillset and if they need a person, they'd certainly rather hire you than a stranger.

But keep in mind, you're not going to relieve your workload by jumping ship. 2500 is very reasonable for a talented junior associate doing your sort of work.

I just want to point out that he/she might be working a lot more than 2500 hours. It seems that he/she cannot be efficient b/c he/she is administering a lot of the case and spending time on unbillable tasks.

[DELG]

I just want to point out that he/she might be working a lot more than 2500 hours. It seems that he/she cannot be efficient b/c he/she is administering a lot of the case and spending time on unbillable tasks.

he needs to just tell the firm he won't be doing anything except mission-critical work for this case. if the firm really is as dependent on him as he thinks/would be that upset to lose him, they're not gonna fire him for that.

[ggocat]

If the primary problem is this one client/ matter sucking up all your time, why do you think life would be any better at another firm with this client/matter coming with you?

[kalvano]

2500 is very reasonable for a talented junior associate doing your sort of work.

It's odd to me that saying billing 2500 hours a year is "reasonable" under any circumstances.

[nickelanddime]

2500 hours is a LOT. Especially when it seems like he/she is under a lot more pressure than most 1st years. OP: take a vacation. I'm sure you'll get some push back, but really, at a big firm, they will manage for a week or two. Things will feel a lot better once you get some sleep.

[dixiecupdrinking]

lol at "2500 isn't a lot because I know a guy who did 3000." OP is working their ass off and is unhappy, and reasonably so. Stuff the anonymous bootlicking bullshit.

Agree with trying to take some time off, though that may not be feasible.

I think the top priority here is to get some perspective and avoid burnout however possible. You are getting trusted with a lot of responsibility and that's a good thing.

Do you have an associate mentor (formal or otherwise)? You need to talk to someone trustworthy in your firm who knows the culture and can advise you, IMO.

[DELG]

tbf i think the point about the hours is, you're not going to convince the firm you're overworked if the industry thinks 2500 is sustainable.

[nickelanddime]

tbf i think the point about the hours is, you're not going to convince the firm you're overworked if the industry thinks 2500 is sustainable.

I don't think ALL lawyers are heartless idiots. OP's probably working with at least a few people that have a fairly good idea of what they can expect from first years, and for how many months in a row they can expect it. So while 2500 is not unheard of, 2500 as a first year while taking leadership of parts of a massive matter is less common. I'm sure someone recognizes that you need a break or you will quit, or worse, fuck something up.

[Desert Fox]

I was in a less terrible version of this. I was the only one on a huge case that had detailed knowledge of the technical stuff. The worst part OP, is that when this case is over, all that work won't mean shit.

You aren't going to take this business with you as a first year. Just no fucking way.

You are replaceable too. You might know everything now, but everyone else can pick it up if they had too. The issue is that they don't have to since you will do it all.

Step 1: Delegate more work.

Step 2: Go to bed at 11 pm, wake up at 7am.

Step 3: Set your own deadlines. If nobody knows what you are doing, they can't sit there and tell you how long it should take.

Step 4: Are you really working only 2500 hours. 2500 really fucking sucks, but that's only 210 a month. That shouldn't totally destroy you. Are you sure you aren't working 3000 and are billing like a girl?

[84651846190]

But it recently occurred to me that if my role really is so integral to such a large case, would it be possible to bring some of this business with me elsewhere?

The short answer is no. You're falling victim to a very common mentality that I and others have gone through: You think you're irreplaceable based on all the work you've put into something. Just yesterday, I learned that my firm was taking over on a case that another firm has been working on for almost a decade. You don't think the other firm has a shitload of knowledge that would take us a very long time (if even possible) to come up to speed on? Of course they do. But the client is still switching over to our firm. Why? Who knows. But I've seen it happen over and over again. Maybe the client wants a fresh perspective? Maybe they had a falling out with a relationship partner? You'd be surprised how much politics control what goes on at a law firm. In any event, the client is simply ordering their old law firm to write up a series of long memos to pass over all knowledge to our firm, and the same thing could happen to you: you could be ordered to transfer everything to another associate at another firm TOMORROW.

The bottom line is that you haven't done anything special. Everything you have done could (and would) be replicated by one or more associates (and perhaps even in less time than you've spent working on it, given that part of your job would be passing on YOUR knowledge to your successor). There's absolutely no reason to think that a client would give you business over someone with many more years of experience. It's the cumulative experience that provides you with the kind of big-picture strategy that the client cares about, not the down-in-the-weeds knowledge of the facts (which can easily be replicated by an infinite number of eager beaver law grads coming out of top schools any given year). In any event, the matter that you're working on is likely a one-shot deal for you. Why would a firm take a chance on someone with no long-term prospects, given that you've spent all of your time on one case with a unique fact pattern and haven't devoted enough time to developing a more well-rounded practice?

My advice: Don't get cocky. Get a few more years of experience and then look at your options.